ALLAN McGREGOR, Scott Brown and Alan Hutton have been left out of the squad but there are recalls for Steven Whittaker, Barry Bannan, Cammy Bell and Phil Bardsley.

INTERIM Scotland boss Billy Stark has named a 21-man Scotland squad with few surprises for next Wednesday's friendly in Luxembourg.

Allan McGregor, Scott Brown and Gary Caldwell have been rested but there are recalls for Steven Whittaker, Barry Bannan, Cammy Bell and Phil Bardsley.

Under 21 boss Stark, who is one of the outsiders on the list of candidates to take over the top job, named his squad just two days after Craig Levein was axed for the side's disastrous start to the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign.

Captain Darren Fletcher is included as is Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher who ended his 18-month dispute with Levein just a month before the SFA swung the axe on Monday.

Stark revealed that the omission of some of the regulars was simply down to a decision to rest some players.

He said: "For a November friendly, a lot of football has already been played and some players will have niggles they would love the opportunity to shake off.

"Allan McGregor and Gary Caldwell, in particular, have been real stalwarts and terrific players for the national team in recent years.

"I've spoken to them and they were grateful to have the opportunity to have a wee break from this game.

"There is nothing more to it than that. It's simply the stage they are at.

"Allan McGregor rushed back from injury and was an absolute star for us in those games.

"But he's out in Turkey now and, with family circumstances, it was a good opportunity to show a bit of compassion in that sense."

Stark declined to throw his hat in the ring for the top job today but refused to rule himself out either.

A number of high-profile candidates have already been linked with the vacancy, including bookmakers' favourite Gordon Strachan.

Stark said: "I don't know how that process works in terms of applications.

"I've been happy in the under-21s job and I'm honoured and absolutely delighted to have the faith of the board that I can prove myself capable of taking the team next week.

"I don't think you rule anything out in football."

Asked if managing the senior team is a dream job, he added: "I think it's a job that every individual would covet.

"I've been very proud to be the manager of the under-21s and I can only imagine that would be exaggerated when you're in the full job.

"My remit is to take the team through the Luxembourg fixture and that's all I'm concentrating on."

Full squad to face Luxembourg in Luxembourg on Wednesday, November 14: